Part of the Art in Public Places Initiative, Erie County’s new Public Art Collection features the work of seventeen local artists in a variety of media
Collection now on display at the Buffalo Convention Center
ERIE COUNTY, NY— Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz today joined Deputy County Executive Lisa M. Chimera, General Manager of the Buffalo Convention Center Jeff Calkins, Chairwoman of the Art in Public Places Initiative Alexa Wajed, and local artist Andrea Wenglowskyi at the Buffalo Convention Center to officially unveil a new Public Art Collection created under the Public Art Act (“the Act”). Adopted in 2023, the Act dedicates up to 1% of county building construction costs for public art. The program is administered by the Erie County Art in Public Places Committee, a panel of local experts in art, architecture, and cultural history.
“The Public Art Act is bringing original, unique and thought-provoking local artwork to the forefront in Erie County, highlighting the tremendous creative energy of our local art community while invigorating public spaces at the same time,” said Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz. “This new collection reflects our shared commitment to creating public spaces that uplift the community, and I encourage everyone to come and see it.”
The Art in Public Places Committee is dedicated to enhancing Erie County's public spaces with the inclusion of artwork that reflects the diversity and creativity of the local community. As part of this commitment, the Committee developed a Small Works Acquisition Program to establish Erie County’s first Public Art Collection.
This Initiative provides local artists with an opportunity to contribute to the aesthetic and cultural landscape of the region while promoting public engagement with the arts. Through an open, competitive process involving over three hundred applications, twenty-two works by seventeen local artists were selected for the collection. Works include paintings, collages, photographs, mixed media and sculptural works. Currently on display at the Buffalo Convention Center, the works may be rotated periodically to other county-owned facilities such as libraries, government offices, and community centers.
More information on the Erie County Art in Public Places Initiative: https://www4.erie.gov/publicart/
# # #
